Belstaff Crosby jacket in mahogany

But that does not alter the fact that the Crosby has probably always been the most wearable and practical jacket in the company's waxed cotton collection. Historically, the Trialmaster has simply been too heavy and cumbersome for a lot of people. Whereas the blouson-style Brooklands has proven itself to be too short; particularly at the back, which means that the rain can sometimes run down the jacket into your trousers. For 2024, Belstaff has moved to a much lighter fabric for the Trialmaster, which should make that jacket easier to wear. The company has also, for 2024, extended the tail of the Brooklands, which should make that jacket somewhat more practical, especially in the rain.

One of the key differences between the old Crosby and the new one is that the new one is AA-rated for abrasion resistance under EN 17092; whereas the old jacket was only single-A rated. We had always suspected that the old one would have passed at the AA level, and the new rating certainly suggests that it would have done. The jacket comes with vented, Level 1, D3O armour in the elbows and shoulders. There's a pocket in the back to take a D3O back protector. You can go for a Level 1 protector if you want both comfort and protection. Or you can go Level 2 if you're prepared to trade a bit of comfort.

The Crosby is, in our view, still the most practical jacket in the Belstaff range. And you can wear it on so many different kinds of bikes. It works on any kind of retro or vintage bike. If you've got a custom bike of some description, the Crosby is almost a mandatory. But it will work on any sit-up bike; and it will more than pass muster on an adventure bike. Lots of scooterists like the Crosby, but it would, without doubt, look wrong on a sports bike.

One thing Belstaff has done, however, is lower the price. Apparently, a new factory has allowed them to shave their costs, and so the Crosby is now £50 less expensive than it was last year, and indeed three years ago. I cannot remember when we last saw that.

For 2024, the Crosby will come in four colourways. Black and brown remain the same, but these are joined by Forest Green, which is greener than last year's green, if that makes sense! There's also a new, lighter colour called Sand that the jacket has never come in before.